It was unmistakably evident that Juliet was consumed by fear, a fear that her son''s presence would shatter the fragile tranquility she had painstakingly pieced together.


    "Mother, my son is about to get married. I came to share the news with you," Ariel announced.


    Caught off guard, Juliet echoed, "Your son is getting married?"


    "Yes, your grandson is tying the knot! Aren''t you excited? Don''t you wish to attend his wedding?"


    Tears welled up in Juliet''s eyes, rendering her speechless. The reality of her grandson''s impending matrimony was a stark reminder of her advancing years.


    However, she knew Ariel too well. He wouldn''t have visited her for such a trivial matter. "You came to escort me to his wedding?"


    "Of course," Ariel began, his voice trailing off, "The wedding is scheduled in two months. And as you know, weddings are expensive affairs. There''s the car, the house, the dowry, and the banquet. It all adds up." Juliet''s suspicions were confirmed, "So, this is a shakedown, isn''t it?"


    "Mom, don''t phrase it like that," Ariel''s wife interjected at the opportune moment. "Our son is your grandson. Isn''t it natural for family to support each other? It''s not a shakedown."


    A wave of disappointment washed over Juliet as she patted her empty pockets, "Do I appear to be swimming in wealth?"


    "Mom, you''re back in the Kennedy family fold now. You''ve spent your entire life around them. Can''t you tap into some old connections for a quick loan?"


    Ariel''s question ignited a spark of anger within Juliet. Trembling with rage, she pointed at them, "How dare you utter such shameless words?"


    "You two, with no skills of your own, can''t even afford your son''s wedding. Now you''re targeting me, an old woman. After all you''ve done to me, how do you have the audacity to say that?"


    Ariel lost his patience, "What have I done to you? You always im you''re broke. Yet, look at you. You''re still alive and well. How are you managing without money?"


    "I believe your years serving the Kennedys have made you forget who your son is. You''ve forgotten your role as a mother!"


    From across the room, Quinn observed Ariel in disbelief, shocked that such harsh words coulde from the mouth of Juliet''s son.


    Stepping forward to shield Juliet, she gestured sternly, "Out, both of you!"Ariel scowled, "Who are you to interfere? She is my mother. What we discuss is none of your business."


    Ariel''s wife, with a sly nce, tugged at his sleeve and hinted with a knowing smile, "Oh, Quinn, we''re here to take Juliet home. She''s too old for this work. We''re bringing her back to retire infort." Quinn was far from naive. If they truly cared for their mother, they wouldn''t have abandoned her to a life of hardship.


    Ariel caught on, "That''s right, she is my mom. I can take her home if I want. Quinn, if you want her to stay, give us half a million. Otherwise, she''sing with me."


    Quinn''s expression faltered as she locked eyes with Ariel''s greedy gaze. She knew all too well that Juliet''s life would be a living hell if she left with them. "Why are you bothering her for? You want me to go back with you? Fine, I''ll go!" Juliet cried out.


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    But Quinn held onto Juliet''s arm and shook her head vehemently. With tears threatening to spill, Juliet patted Quinn''s arm, "It''s okay, I''ve survived these past three years, haven''t I? What''s there to fear? They won''t kill me." Quinn''s lips trembled as she realized she couldn''t let Juliet suffer again. After a tense silence, she reached for her phone and typed a message to Ariel.


    "I''ll pay you the money!"


    Ariel''s eyes sparkled with anticipation, "Really? Then hurry up and hand it over!"


    Quinn couldn''t pay him immediately. Her fingers danced over the keyboard as she hastily typed out a message pleading for some time.


    "Sure, we can wait. No rush. We''ll just hang around here," came Ariel''s nonchnt response.


    "Quinn, don''t listen to him. Their greed is a bottomless pit. No amount of money will ever satisfy them. Just let me go with them," Juliet pleaded, her voice heavy with desperation.


    Quinn''s message to Alexander had already been sent. "Can I borrow half a million from you?"After their discussions about divorce, she had returned all her cards to Alexander. Now, she was, quite literally, penniless.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.